British scale model enthusiast and a good friend of the Kangaroos, Kevin Tucker, was good enough to send me photos of his latest project. It is a 1/35th scale model of a mid-production Ram II tank converted to a Kangaroo. This particular model accurately represents the type of Kangaroo that would have been typically used by the British 49th Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment (49RTR). The British kangaroos were equipped mainly with the earlier Ram II’s with the auxillary machine gun turret and M3 suspension (the return roller is directly above the spring, not trailing behind like the Sherman M4 suspension).

Kevin says ,”The kit is from Resicast, Kit no. 35.146. The kit is made up from resin and photo etch parts. There is an almost full interior with transmission, driver, machine gunner and radio operator stations. There is also a partial engine bay with firewall and fuel tanks but no engine although one is available from other aftermarket firms. Photo etch parts make up the fenders, additional bins, hinges, locks, straps, gear shift lears and other driver controls, headlight guards and aerial cage.”

 

“The kit can be super detailed using photos and additional references”, Kevin adds, “I know that there are some issues with the dimensions but at the moment it is the best kit available for the earlier Rams. I believe that a new re-tooled kit will hopefully be available soon.”

Kevin has done a superb job of detailing this Kangaroo, I really like the way he has applied the variety of kit and supplies to the front of the tank. Often working days away from their own supply lines the “Kangaroos” would carry their own personal items, supplies and even tank parts with them. The “kangaroos were also very adept at scrounging as much useful material as possible!

The dirty, mud-caked appearance is also accurate of the real thing! A great job Kevin!

Below, a Canadian carrier of the 1CACR, carrying infantry of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles. February 16, 1945. Note the Petrol, water cans and other ephemera on the front! (Photo credit: Library and Archives of Canada)

A photo of Kevin’s real-life inspiration, CT 40700, in the post-war period.

Dutch modeler, Alex van de Wetering has also built a superb model (below). Again it is an early Ram II, but this time depicting one of the few in service with our Canadian “Kangaroos”. I am in awe of what these guys can do with a plastic model kit...

A step by step photo journal of how Alex built this model can be found at a Dutch website:

http://www.twenot-forums.nl/viewtopic.php?t=10732&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0&sid=3fd18610f2d4ebd33f2e06c056952ffb